Friday, 5 September 2014

Habana here we go: let's acnowledge one of South Africa's best backline rugby players on the eve of his 100th test match

Bryan Gary Habana is an institution in the
Springbok team and in Perth on Saturday he will become the fourth player to
feature in 100 Tests for South Africa.

He described the past 11 years, since his debut
against England at Twickenham in 2004, as "an incredible journey: and
something he was "very privileged" to be part of.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=gwehyLYSRwE

"The
journey has been one I enjoyed each step of the way, the good and bad
times," he said, adding that he believes he has another couple of years
left in him.

"It's obviously very special for me to
reach this milestone, but this weekend isn't about me," the Bok wing said,
adding: "It's about the team and what we want to achieve.

"I've been blessed with many highlights
during my career and I'm very thankful for that, as well as the magnificent
support I've received from my family, friends, teammates and coaches through
the years.

He
attended Meredale Primary and King Edward VII School before enrolling at the
University of Johannesburg (then still called the Rand Afrikaans University) in
B.Sc (Information Technology).

He
made his provincial debut for the Golden Lions in 2003, his Test debut a year
later and played the first of his 118 Vodacom Super Rugby matches in 2005.

To
date, Habana has amassed 99 Tests and scored 56 tries, a South African record.
He scored his first Test try with his first touch of the ball in an
international, against then Rugby World Cup champions England at Twickenham.

On 22
September 2011 he scored his 39th Test try, against Namibia, to surpass Joost
van der Westhuizen as the most-prolific try scorer in Springbok history. His
50th Test try was scored against Samoa on 22 June 2013.

All
but one of Habana's Test appearances have been on the wing - he played once at
outside centre, against Ireland in 2006.

Honours and
accolades:*
2004: Springbok Sevens, SA Under-21, SA Young Player of the Year*
2005: SA Rugby Player of the Year, Vodacom Super Rugby Player of the Year, Try
of the Year (Vodacom Bulls v Blues in Pretoria)*
2007: IRB Player of the Year, SA Rugby Player of the Year, scored eight tries
at RWC to equal the record set by Jonah Lomu in 1995, Try of the Year (Vodacom
Bulls v Cell C Sharks in Durban, Vodacom Super Rugby final)*
2012: SA Rugby Player of the Year, IRPA Try of the Year (against New Zealand in
Dunedin)